Latch apparatus

Abstract

A latch apparatus is disclosed comprising a latch supporting member and a latch member pivotally connected to the latch supporting member. The latch member comprises an extendable handle arm member. The latch apparatus further comprises a tray member connected to the latch supporting member and a cage member connected to the tray member. According to an exemplary embodiment, the latch member further comprises an engagement arm member comprising a first engaging member. Alternatively, the latch member further comprises a resilient member comprising a first engaging member. Moreover, the extendable handle arm member comprises a second engaging member. Furthermore, the latch supporting member comprises a third engaging member and a fourth engaging member. When the extendable handle arm member is in a latched position, the first engaging member is engaged with the cage member and the third engaging member, and the second engaging member is engaged with the fourth engaging member.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to Taiwanese Patent Application No. 97137857 filed Sep. 30, 2008, the entire text of which is specifically incorporated by reference herein.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The various embodiments described herein relate generally to a latch apparatus and more particularly to a latch apparatus for a hot swappable device.[0004]2. Description of the Related Art[0005]A hot swappable device is a device that is removable during operation in a computer or peripheral systems environment. Hot swappable devices are important in a server level system or above. Using hot swappable devices, system capability can be expanded without interrupting the operation of the system.[0006]The hot swappable devices used in a server may be a hot swappable power device, a hot swappable hard disk, a hot swappable optical disk drive (ODD), a hot swappable battery, a hot swappable fan, or a combination ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010]The various embodiments described herein provide a latch apparatus. The latch apparatus is capable of latching one or more devices (e.g., hot swappable devices) to a cage member. According to an exemplary embodiment, in a scenario in which a first hot swappable device is mounted in an inner space of a server and a second hot swappable device is mounted in front of the first hot swappable device, the first and second hot swappable devices can be unlatched and removed without using assembly tools and with reduced risk of finger injury. Therefore, the assembly process with respect to the hot swappable devices may be simplified, and the allocation of hot swappable devices inside the server may be improved. According to an exemplary embodiment, no additional assembly tools are required, thus reducing the necessity of fastening devices such as screws. As a result, the assembly process is fast and simple.

[0011]According to the various embodiments described herein, a user may unlatch a hot swappable device even if the device is located deep within an electronic device (e.g., a server). Thus, multiple hot swappable devices can be mounted inside the server, and the allocation of such devices is more flexible.

Problems solved by technology

Regarding the above arrangement involving two hot swappable devices, since the hot swappable devices are installed in an inner space of the electronic device, and since one hot swappable device is installed in front of another, conventional removal of the hot swappable devices is rather difficult.

In accordance with the above arrangement, a second hot swappable device may be installed in front of a first hot swappable device inside a smaller server (such as a 1-U server or a 2-U server), and thus conventionally a user must insert one or more fingers into the inner space of the server to remove the hot swappable devices, thus exposing himself to potential injury.

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